Texas TEKS 3.4.B
The Standard
use a scale to determine the distance between places on maps and globes
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students measure the space between two locations and use the scale key to find the real distance. They record the answer with the correct unit, such as miles or kilometers.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can measure from the ruler’s zero mark and convert the measurement using the given scale. The student can use string to measure curved distances on a globe and explain the calculation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat the measured map length as the real distance or ignore the scale key. They may start at the ruler’s edge, mix units, or measure across a globe with a straight ruler.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Two towns are 4 centimeters apart on a map, and 1 centimeter represents 20 miles. Find the real distance and show your work.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a state map, ruler, and string, then have them measure and calculate the distance between three labeled cities.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining how a scale turns a short map measurement into a real distance.
Play Scale Match by pairing map-length cards with scale cards and real-distance cards.
Have students plan a trip between two nearby cities and use a road map scale to estimate the travel distance.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 3.4.A
use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate places on maps and globes in relation to the local community;
- 2.3.A
identify and use information on maps and globes using basic map elements such as title, cardinal directions, and legend; and
- 3.4.C
identify, create, and interpret maps of places that contain map elements, including a title, compass rose, legend, scale, and grid system.
- K.3.C
identify and use geographic tools that aid in determining location, including maps and globes.
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